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With the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions have selected Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell.
The Lions made a strong statement on Thursday night by bolstering their offensive line. Sewell was the consensus best offensive lineman in the draft and considered a top-five talent in this year’s class.
A two-year starter at Oregon, Sewell as named a freshman All-American in 2018 and was a unanimous All-American in 2019. He did choose to opt out last season.
At 6-foot-4, 331 pounds, Sewell is a prototypical tackle in this league, but it’s his athleticism that could make him elite.
Penei Sewell was drafted with pick 7 of round 1 in the 2021 draft class. He scored a 8.99 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 117 out of 1144 OT from 1987 to 2021. https://t.co/1SoSWXw6IW #RAS pic.twitter.com/qlQpxK3FTt
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 30, 2021
Sewell played left tackle in both years as an Oregon Duck, but with Taylor Decker firmly entrenched at the position for the Lions, Sewell is most likely headed to the right side of the line to start his NFL career. Sewell apparently knew this was a possibility, as he’s been working out on the right side of the offensive line during training.
While the Lions did pass on potential solid prospects in Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields or South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn, it appears the Lions will give Jared Goff a chance to revitalize his career, and now he has a solid right tackle to help him.
Lions remaining picks
- Round 2, Pick 9 (41 overall)
- Round 3, Pick 8 (72 overall)
- Round 3, Pick 38 (101 overall) - from Rams
- Round 4, Pick 7 (112 overall)
- Round 5, Pick 9 (153 overall)
Top remaining needs for Lions:
- Wide receiver
- Safety
- Linebacker
- Offensive lineman
- Nickel cornerback
- Quarterback?
NFL Draft schedule
Day 1
What: Round 1
When: Thursday, April 29 — 8 p.m. ET until around 11 p.m.
TV: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
Online streaming: ESPN app, NFL Network Live
POD live show: Twitch.tv/PrideOfDetroit, YouTube.com/c/PrideOfDetroit
Lions’ picks: Round 1, Pick 7
Day 2
What: Rounds 2 and 3
When: Friday, April 30 — 7 p.m. ET until around 12 a.m.
TV: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
Online streaming: ESPN app, NFL Network Live
POD live show: Twitch.tv/PrideOfDetroit, YouTube.com/c/PrideOfDetroit
Lions’ picks: Round 2, Pick 9 (41); Round 3, Pick 8 (72); Round 3, Pick 38 (101)
Day 3
What: Rounds 4 through 7
When: Saturday, May 1 — Noon ET until around 7 p.m.
TV: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
Online streaming: ESPN app, NFL Network Live
Lions’ picks: Round 4, Pick 7 (112); Round 5, Pick 9 (153)